JGonspy
04/03/2008, 20:50
February's numbers are a little quicker because Diamond didn't screw up the initial estimates this time around. These numbers are a little more recent, and a little more interesting. Well, I would hope anyway.
As usual, much love and credit to The Beat (http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/) for doing the real work. Also, click on the publishers to get a detailed breakdown of the numbers and comments that are a lot more insightful then mine. I'm taking a little more of their numbers, specifically the calculations. That's mostly because I'm far too lazy to do the math myself. The numbers in the brackets are the percentage change over last month.
For direct comparisons to last month's thread, here it is (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227232).
Marvel (http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/03/31/marvel-month-to-month-sales-february-2008/)
We'll start with Marvel this month. They topped DC once again which is pretty much par for the course. What's really surprising is that their top selling title was X-Force and that was the only title all month to crack 100k aside from New Avengers and Amazing Spider-Man.
X-Force #1 - 105,149
So people out there like their X-Force, huh? I never would have guessed that. Something tells me these numbers won't hold, but the title may be around for a while. People like leather and claws I guess.
Amazing Spider-Man #549 - 101,112 ( +3.2%)
Amazing Spider-Man #550 - 90,874 (-10.1%)
Amazing Spider-Man #551 - 88,084 ( -3.1%)
So BND's second month is a bit shakier. The initial boost over last month is due to a variant cover. I get the feeling things are going to keep dropping though, based on the diminishing amount of Spidey comics I see at comic shops around the city.
Thor #6 - 98,315 ( -3.2%)
Turns out Thor is quite the hit. I must say I'm amazed it's still selling so well. I think it was really great that Marvel allowed the character to take some time off to make a new take on him really sparkle instead of using years of crappy filler to pass the time between worthwhile runs. Now if only they applied that idea to some other characters...
Ultimates 3 #3 of 5 - 97,210 ( -7.5%)
I don't know what's more surprising, that it's shipping on time or that people are still buying this. Whoever you are, STOP!
Hulk #2 - 93,725 (-32.0%)
See, this is what I mean when comparing this to Thor. Hulk has been around for a while, why does he get a relaunch and Hercules gets installed into his book? Makes no sense, and sales are quickly dropping.
Fantastic Four #554 - 92,654 ( +91.7%)
The first Millar and Hitch issue. Kinda low really, but considering the title, I think it's pretty good. That boost is obviously a big one and it'll probably stay stable. Maybe.
Ult. Spider-Man #119 - 58,045 ( -1.3%)
The bleeding is starting to stop. I suppose people are finally getting used to the new artist which is nice since it's still a great title.
Hercules #114 - 52,200 ( -29.0%)
Sure, Hercules #2 may not have sold so well, but I get the feeling the numbers will drop to the levels you'd expect from a Hercules title. Of course, he could have pulled a Thor and sold really well. Guess we'll never know now.
Kick-### #1 - 47,841
The highest selling Icon comic so far. And a movie is on the way too. Of course, it's got two superstars working on it so that's always a draw, isn't it? While I enjoy the book, anyone who says "It's the little book that could!" needs their teeth kicked in.
Runaways #29 - 33,210 ( -30.5%)
Uh oh...it turns out being four months late translates to people not buying your comic. The book is almost back to where it was before Whedon left which isn't so pretty. I certainly hope Terry Moore can turn things around with some good writing and a reliable schedule. I hope the lack of star power doesn't hurt the book too much.
War Journal #16 - 32,508 ( -9.2%)
Moon Knight #15 - 31,553 ( -8.7%)
New Warriors #9 - 25,694 (-11.2%)
Black Panther #34 - 23,395 ( -9.7%)
Marvel Comics Presents #6 - 16,188 ( -7.1%)
All these books are on the highway to the danger zone. Anything from last month not listed here is relatively safe...kinda. Those Secret Invasion tie-ins better help.
DC (http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/04/02/dc-comics-month-to-month-sales-february-2008/)
It wasn't a bad month for DC but...well it was kinda quiet. I suppose it's waiting for Final Crisis to turn things around. Well, only a few months away...
All Star Batman #9 93,766 (- 3.4%)
So Runaways ships really infrequently and loses 30%, but this only loses 3%? Seems like a great injustice, but I guess people like the GD Batman. It's funny, sure, but I didn't realize people though it was that funny.
Justice Society #12 84,162 (- 6.1%)
Justice Society #13 82,702 (- 1.7%)
Apparently having Alex Ross drop in to write a few issues isn't good for a long term boost. Still, numbers are good.
Countdown to FC #12 68,249 (+ 0.2%)
Countdown to FC #11 67,833 (- 0.6%)
Countdown to FC #10 67,792 (- 0.1%)
Countdown to FC #9 67,383 (- 0.6%)
If this were the new weekly ongoing series that was announced not too long ago, I'd say these are really great steady numbers. Of course that isn't the case. Considering the number of people on the internet who supposedly buy this book and hate it with all their heart, you'd think the number would be a lot higher. Oh well, there it is.
Teen Titans #56 50,283 (- 4.0%)
Apparently McKeever isn't quite the draw he was expected to be. I think he's a great writer myself, but even I can't quite drum up the interest to check him out on Titans.
Green Lantern Corps #21 47,582 (+ 6.7%)
Wow, didn't see that coming. Turns out the drop from last month which was considered a success wasn't even a full drop! Reorders for that issue went up and the next issue got a big boost. This title is doing great.
Wonder Woman #17 41,948 (- 2.2%)
Slowly leveling out, which is good news for Simone. I might check this out in trade.
The Brave and the Bold #10 39,124 (-10.0%)
This is Pιrez's last issue. Something tells me it won't be around long afterwards.
Bat Outsiders #4 37,903 (- 6.1%)
Putting Batman on something doesn't ALWAYS mean sales go up.
Flash #237 37,719 (- 9.0%)
Poor Flash, he just can't get any breaks. Will Geoff Johns be able to turn it around? Well, he is the golden boy at DC, let's see if he can do what two relaunches couldn't.
Supergirl #26 34,186 (- 6.2%)
If we all ask really nicely, maybe DC will cancel this before sales are completely in the toilet.
Salvation Run #4 of 7 25,899 (- 3.5%)
Was this supposed to be a bigger deal? It looks like another Amazon's Attack to me.
Batman Confidential #13 25,735 (- 5.4%)
Superman Confidential #12 21,015 (- 6.8%)
Turns out no one gives a #### if something is confidential or not.
JLA: Classified #53 17,986 (- 3.6%)
JSA: Classified #35 16,561 (- 1.7%)
OR if something is classified. (Apologies, I couldn't resist)
Shadowpact #22 15,292 (- 4.5%)
And that's why it's canceled at #25.
Blue Beetle #24 14,378 (- 3.9%)
The All-New Atom #20 13,560 (- 2.2%)
So you have to wonder how much time these titles have left.
And that's all she wrote for February. See you all next month, though I warn you all, if my sales numbers (replies) ever hit zero I'm totally canceling the thread!
(This is just an experiment to see if overt threats lead to higher interest, if so, I'm gonna get a job at Marvel or DC!)
As usual, much love and credit to The Beat (http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/) for doing the real work. Also, click on the publishers to get a detailed breakdown of the numbers and comments that are a lot more insightful then mine. I'm taking a little more of their numbers, specifically the calculations. That's mostly because I'm far too lazy to do the math myself. The numbers in the brackets are the percentage change over last month.
For direct comparisons to last month's thread, here it is (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227232).
Marvel (http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/03/31/marvel-month-to-month-sales-february-2008/)
We'll start with Marvel this month. They topped DC once again which is pretty much par for the course. What's really surprising is that their top selling title was X-Force and that was the only title all month to crack 100k aside from New Avengers and Amazing Spider-Man.
X-Force #1 - 105,149
So people out there like their X-Force, huh? I never would have guessed that. Something tells me these numbers won't hold, but the title may be around for a while. People like leather and claws I guess.
Amazing Spider-Man #549 - 101,112 ( +3.2%)
Amazing Spider-Man #550 - 90,874 (-10.1%)
Amazing Spider-Man #551 - 88,084 ( -3.1%)
So BND's second month is a bit shakier. The initial boost over last month is due to a variant cover. I get the feeling things are going to keep dropping though, based on the diminishing amount of Spidey comics I see at comic shops around the city.
Thor #6 - 98,315 ( -3.2%)
Turns out Thor is quite the hit. I must say I'm amazed it's still selling so well. I think it was really great that Marvel allowed the character to take some time off to make a new take on him really sparkle instead of using years of crappy filler to pass the time between worthwhile runs. Now if only they applied that idea to some other characters...
Ultimates 3 #3 of 5 - 97,210 ( -7.5%)
I don't know what's more surprising, that it's shipping on time or that people are still buying this. Whoever you are, STOP!
Hulk #2 - 93,725 (-32.0%)
See, this is what I mean when comparing this to Thor. Hulk has been around for a while, why does he get a relaunch and Hercules gets installed into his book? Makes no sense, and sales are quickly dropping.
Fantastic Four #554 - 92,654 ( +91.7%)
The first Millar and Hitch issue. Kinda low really, but considering the title, I think it's pretty good. That boost is obviously a big one and it'll probably stay stable. Maybe.
Ult. Spider-Man #119 - 58,045 ( -1.3%)
The bleeding is starting to stop. I suppose people are finally getting used to the new artist which is nice since it's still a great title.
Hercules #114 - 52,200 ( -29.0%)
Sure, Hercules #2 may not have sold so well, but I get the feeling the numbers will drop to the levels you'd expect from a Hercules title. Of course, he could have pulled a Thor and sold really well. Guess we'll never know now.
Kick-### #1 - 47,841
The highest selling Icon comic so far. And a movie is on the way too. Of course, it's got two superstars working on it so that's always a draw, isn't it? While I enjoy the book, anyone who says "It's the little book that could!" needs their teeth kicked in.
Runaways #29 - 33,210 ( -30.5%)
Uh oh...it turns out being four months late translates to people not buying your comic. The book is almost back to where it was before Whedon left which isn't so pretty. I certainly hope Terry Moore can turn things around with some good writing and a reliable schedule. I hope the lack of star power doesn't hurt the book too much.
War Journal #16 - 32,508 ( -9.2%)
Moon Knight #15 - 31,553 ( -8.7%)
New Warriors #9 - 25,694 (-11.2%)
Black Panther #34 - 23,395 ( -9.7%)
Marvel Comics Presents #6 - 16,188 ( -7.1%)
All these books are on the highway to the danger zone. Anything from last month not listed here is relatively safe...kinda. Those Secret Invasion tie-ins better help.
DC (http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/04/02/dc-comics-month-to-month-sales-february-2008/)
It wasn't a bad month for DC but...well it was kinda quiet. I suppose it's waiting for Final Crisis to turn things around. Well, only a few months away...
All Star Batman #9 93,766 (- 3.4%)
So Runaways ships really infrequently and loses 30%, but this only loses 3%? Seems like a great injustice, but I guess people like the GD Batman. It's funny, sure, but I didn't realize people though it was that funny.
Justice Society #12 84,162 (- 6.1%)
Justice Society #13 82,702 (- 1.7%)
Apparently having Alex Ross drop in to write a few issues isn't good for a long term boost. Still, numbers are good.
Countdown to FC #12 68,249 (+ 0.2%)
Countdown to FC #11 67,833 (- 0.6%)
Countdown to FC #10 67,792 (- 0.1%)
Countdown to FC #9 67,383 (- 0.6%)
If this were the new weekly ongoing series that was announced not too long ago, I'd say these are really great steady numbers. Of course that isn't the case. Considering the number of people on the internet who supposedly buy this book and hate it with all their heart, you'd think the number would be a lot higher. Oh well, there it is.
Teen Titans #56 50,283 (- 4.0%)
Apparently McKeever isn't quite the draw he was expected to be. I think he's a great writer myself, but even I can't quite drum up the interest to check him out on Titans.
Green Lantern Corps #21 47,582 (+ 6.7%)
Wow, didn't see that coming. Turns out the drop from last month which was considered a success wasn't even a full drop! Reorders for that issue went up and the next issue got a big boost. This title is doing great.
Wonder Woman #17 41,948 (- 2.2%)
Slowly leveling out, which is good news for Simone. I might check this out in trade.
The Brave and the Bold #10 39,124 (-10.0%)
This is Pιrez's last issue. Something tells me it won't be around long afterwards.
Bat Outsiders #4 37,903 (- 6.1%)
Putting Batman on something doesn't ALWAYS mean sales go up.
Flash #237 37,719 (- 9.0%)
Poor Flash, he just can't get any breaks. Will Geoff Johns be able to turn it around? Well, he is the golden boy at DC, let's see if he can do what two relaunches couldn't.
Supergirl #26 34,186 (- 6.2%)
If we all ask really nicely, maybe DC will cancel this before sales are completely in the toilet.
Salvation Run #4 of 7 25,899 (- 3.5%)
Was this supposed to be a bigger deal? It looks like another Amazon's Attack to me.
Batman Confidential #13 25,735 (- 5.4%)
Superman Confidential #12 21,015 (- 6.8%)
Turns out no one gives a #### if something is confidential or not.
JLA: Classified #53 17,986 (- 3.6%)
JSA: Classified #35 16,561 (- 1.7%)
OR if something is classified. (Apologies, I couldn't resist)
Shadowpact #22 15,292 (- 4.5%)
And that's why it's canceled at #25.
Blue Beetle #24 14,378 (- 3.9%)
The All-New Atom #20 13,560 (- 2.2%)
So you have to wonder how much time these titles have left.
And that's all she wrote for February. See you all next month, though I warn you all, if my sales numbers (replies) ever hit zero I'm totally canceling the thread!
(This is just an experiment to see if overt threats lead to higher interest, if so, I'm gonna get a job at Marvel or DC!)